Augustine Tolton

Catholic priest, born in Ralls, Missouri, USA. The first Catholic priest whose parents were both African-Americans, he escaped from slavery with family members at age seven. He overcame poverty and frequent rejections to obtain backing and permission to study for the priesthood in Rome, where he was ordained (1886). He returned to work as a struggling pastor among poor black Catholics in Illinois.

Augustine Tolton (April 1, 1854 - July 9, 1897) was born the son of slaves, Peter Paul Tolton and Martha Jane Tolton and was baptised in St. Peter Church in Brush Creek, Missouri. Augustine's father was a veteran of the Civil War fighting on the Union side, his mother seized this opportunity and ran away from thier masters with Augustine and his siblings. After the death of his brother, Augustine met Father Peter McGirr who gave him the chance to attend St. Peter School, during the winter months when the tobacco factory was closed.